Patents by Inventor Robert S. Parnell
Robert S. Parnell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230065778Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure are directed to an in-bed device having one or more substrates, a wireless transceiver, an antenna coupled to the wireless transceiver, and a control system. The one or more substrates are shaped to be positioned on a bed. The wireless transceiver is disposed on at least one of the one or more substrates, and configured to transmit and receive wireless pulses via the antenna. The control system is configured to cause the wireless transceiver to generate the wireless pulses and analyze the received wireless pulses to determine whether the bed is occupied by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Wegene H. Tadele, Robert S. Parnell
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Patent number: 11387678Abstract: A wireless power system has wireless power transmitting and receiving devices. The transmitting and receiving devices convey wireless power using stacked resonant structures. The stacked resonant structures are self-resonant and have a parallel-coupled inductance and capacitance. The structures include a magnetic core having a central post and stacked ceramic layers within the magnetic core and laterally surrounding the central post. The structures include interleaved first and second sets of antiparallel-oriented C-shaped conductive layers and are driven using drive traces. The drive traces are formed from one of the C-shaped conductive layers or from conductive traces on a drive printed circuit board that underlies the stacked ceramic layers. The traces include one or more loops running around the central post. Host circuitry for the structures may have a central tap terminal coupled to the traces. If desired, a shield layer may overlap the conductive layers.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Robert S. Parnell
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Publication number: 20210099017Abstract: A wireless power system has wireless power transmitting and receiving devices. The transmitting and receiving devices convey wireless power using stacked resonant structures. The stacked resonant structures are self-resonant and have a parallel-coupled inductance and capacitance. The structures include a magnetic core having a central post and stacked ceramic layers within the magnetic core and laterally surrounding the central post. The structures include interleaved first and second sets of antiparallel-oriented C-shaped conductive layers and are driven using drive traces. The drive traces are formed from one of the C-shaped conductive layers or from conductive traces on a drive printed circuit board that underlies the stacked ceramic layers. The traces include one or more loops running around the central post. Host circuitry for the structures may have a central tap terminal coupled to the traces. If desired, a shield layer may overlap the conductive layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventor: Robert S. Parnell
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Patent number: 10879745Abstract: Various techniques for temperature management during inductive energy transfer are disclosed. A transmitter device and/or a receiver device can be turned off during energy transfer based on the temperature of the transmitter device and/or of the receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox, Eric S. Jol, Jeffrey M. Alves, Jim C. Hwang, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, John M. Ananny, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, Robert S. Parnell, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Albert J. Golko, Frank Liang
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Publication number: 20190157898Abstract: A receiver device in an inductive energy transfer system can include a touch sensing device. If the input surface of the touch sensing device is touched, a transmitter device can periodically stop transferring energy to allow the touch sensing device to sense touch samples while inductive energy transfer is inactive. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can produce an averaged duty cycle by transferring energy to the receiver device for one or more periods at a first duty cycle step and for one or more periods at different second first duty cycle step. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can reduce a current level received by a DC-to-AC converter if the current received by the DC-to-AC converter equals or exceeds a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can ping a receiver device and transfer energy only after a response signal is received from the receiver device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Steven G. Herbst, Scott D. Morrison, Jeffrey M. Alves, Brandon R. Garbus, Jim C. Hwang, Robert S. Parnell, Terry L. Tikalsky
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Patent number: 10193372Abstract: A receiver device in an inductive energy transfer system can include a touch sensing device. If the input surface of the touch sensing device is touched, a transmitter device can periodically stop transferring energy to allow the touch sensing device to sense touch samples while inductive energy transfer is inactive. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can produce an averaged duty cycle by transferring energy to the receiver device for one or more periods at a first duty cycle step and for one or more periods at different second first duty cycle step. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can reduce a current level received by a DC-to-AC converter if the current received by the DC-to-AC converter equals or exceeds a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can ping a receiver device and transfer energy only after a response signal is received from the receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven G. Herbst, Scott D. Morrison, Jeffrey M. Alves, Brandon R. Garbus, Jim C. Hwang, Robert S. Parnell, Terry L. Tikalsky
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Publication number: 20190006892Abstract: Various techniques for temperature management during inductive energy transfer are disclosed. A transmitter device and/or a receiver device can be turned off during energy transfer based on the temperature of the transmitter device and/or of the receiver device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox, Eric S. Jol, Jeffrey M. Alves, Jim C. Hwang, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, John M. Ananny, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, Robert S. Parnell, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Albert J. Golko, Frank Liang
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Patent number: 10014733Abstract: Various techniques for temperature management during inductive energy transfer are disclosed. A transmitter device and/or a receiver device can be turned off during energy transfer based on the temperature of the transmitter device and/or of the receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox, Eric S. Jol, Jeffrey M. Alves, Jim C. Hwang, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, John M. Ananny, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, Robert S. Parnell, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Albert J. Golko, Frank Liang
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Patent number: 9811204Abstract: A method of scanning a touch sensor panel while the touch sensor panel is coupled to a power adapter is disclosed. The power adapter can charge a battery of a device, but can also introduce or add noise during the process of charging the battery. To prevent adverse effects to the touch sensor panel, while the device is charging, the touch controller can time multiplex touch scan periods and inductive charging periods and can discard touch scans or touch images affected by the noise. Determining whether a touch scan is a bad touch scan can include performing a touch scan across the array of touch pixels and making a determination based on the scan profile. In some examples, the profile can be quantified using different metrics such as the shape, instantaneous slope of tail ends, a full-width half-maximum, and a monotonicity of the curve of the scan profile.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christian M. Sauer, Todd K. Moyer, Robert S. Parnell
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Patent number: 9391668Abstract: Reducing a power of a signal electromagnetically coupled from a PLC medium to a digital subscriber line (DSL) medium. The method involves transmitting a data signal over the PLC medium at a first average power level from one of a plurality of PLC transmitters coupled to the PLC medium, then measuring first noise associated with a first signal received at a DSL receiver coupled to the DSL communication medium caused at least in part by the data signal transmitted over the PLC medium at a second average power level from the one PLC transmitter, the second average power level different than the first average power level, followed by measuring second noise associated with a second signal received at the DSL receiver coupled to the DSL communication medium caused at least in part by the data signal transmission over the PLC medium at the second average power level.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment, Inc.Inventor: Robert S. Parnell
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Publication number: 20160064948Abstract: Various techniques for temperature management during inductive energy transfer are disclosed. A transmitter device and/or a receiver device can be turned off during energy transfer based on the temperature of the transmitter device and/or of the receiver device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox, Eric S. Jol, Jeffrey M. Alves, Jim C. Hwang, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, John M. Ananny, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, Robert S. Parnell, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Albert J. Golko, Frank Liang
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Publication number: 20160064992Abstract: A receiver device in an inductive energy transfer system can include a touch sensing device. If the input surface of the touch sensing device is touched, a transmitter device can periodically stop transferring energy to allow the touch sensing device to sense touch samples while inductive energy transfer is inactive. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can produce an averaged duty cycle by transferring energy to the receiver device for one or more periods at a first duty cycle step and for one or more periods at different second first duty cycle step. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can reduce a current level received by a DC-to-AC converter if the current received by the DC-to-AC converter equals or exceeds a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can ping a receiver device and transfer energy only after a response signal is received from the receiver device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Steven G. Herbst, Scott D. Morrison, Jeffrey M. Alves, Brandon R. Garbus, Jim C. Hwang, Robert S. Parnell, Terry L. Tikalsky
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Publication number: 20150370410Abstract: A method of scanning a touch sensor panel while the touch sensor panel is coupled to a power adapter is disclosed. The power adapter can charge a battery of a device, but can also introduce or add noise during the process of charging the battery. To prevent adverse effects to the touch sensor panel, while the device is charging, the touch controller can time multiplex touch scan periods and inductive charging periods and can discard touch scans or touch images affected by the noise. Determining whether a touch scan is a bad touch scan can include performing a touch scan across the array of touch pixels and making a determination based on the scan profile. In some examples, the profile can be quantified using different metrics such as the shape, instantaneous slope of tail ends, a full-width half-maximum, and a monotonicity of the curve of the scan profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Christian M. SAUER, Todd K. Moyer, Robert S. Parnell
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Publication number: 20140369430Abstract: Reducing a power of a signal electromagnetically coupled from a PLC medium to a digital subscriber line (DSL) medium. The method involves transmitting a data signal over the PLC medium at a first average power level from one of a plurality of PLC transmitters coupled to the PLC medium, then measuring first noise associated with a first signal received at a DSL receiver coupled to the DSL communication medium caused at least in part by the data signal transmitted over the PLC medium at a second average power level from the one PLC transmitter, the second average power level different than the first average power level, followed by measuring second noise associated with a second signal received at the DSL receiver coupled to the DSL communication medium caused at least in part by the data signal transmission over the PLC medium at the second average power level.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: Adaptive Spectrum and signal Alignment, Inc.Inventor: Robert S. Parnell
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Patent number: 8589093Abstract: A network including powerline adapters (“PLAs”) of the HomePlug Alliance variety or similar implementations such as the European in Opera standard provides for diagnostic capability and software enhanced powerline adapters. The diagnostic capability includes collecting network performance data and either analyzing or forwarding data for analysis. In addition, mechanical design for the PLA with an isolating filter provides for secure mounting while blocking access to a second wall outlet of a duplex unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment, Inc.Inventors: Paul Baran, Eugene R. Wilson, Robert S. Parnell, Hugo Haselhuhn
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Patent number: 8489344Abstract: This application relates to a network including powerline adapters (“PLAs”) of the HomePlug Alliance variety or similar implementations such as the European in Opera standard. The technology disclosed provides diagnostic capability and software enhanced powerline adapters. The diagnostic capability includes collecting network performance data and either analyzing or forwarding data for analysis. In addition, mechanical design for the PLA with an isolating filter provides for secure mounting while blocking access to a second wall outlet of a duplex unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment, Inc.Inventors: Paul Baran, Eugene R. Wilson, Robert S. Parnell, Hugo Haselhuhn
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Publication number: 20120307879Abstract: A network including powerline adapters (“PLAs”) of the HomePlug Alliance variety or similar implementations such as the European in Opera standard provides for diagnostic capability and software enhanced powerline adapters. The diagnostic capability includes collecting network performance data and either analyzing or forwarding data for analysis. In addition, mechanical design for the PLA with an isolating filter provides for secure mounting while blocking access to a second wall outlet of a duplex unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment, Inc.Inventors: Paul Baran, Eugene R. Wilson, Robert S. Parnell, Hugo Haselhuhn
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Publication number: 20080190639Abstract: This application relates to a network including powerline adapters (“PLAs”) of the HomePlug Alliance variety or similar implementations such as the European in Opera standard. The technology disclosed provides diagnostic capability and software enhanced powerline adapters. The diagnostic capability includes collecting network performance data and either analyzing or forwarding data for analysis. In addition, mechanical design for the PLA with an isolating filter provides for secure mounting while blocking access to a second wall outlet of a duplex unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: Paul Baran, Eugene R. Wilson, Robert S. Parnell, Hugo Haselhuhn